The Journal - Ask the Veterinarianhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/ask-the-veterinarian
A Q&A column from veterinarians at Westgate Pet Clinic in Linden Hills. (www.westgatepetclinicmn.com)enHow to prepare for the dog fluhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/how-to-prepare-for-the-dog-flu
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Teresa Hershey</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>Dear Dr. Hershey,</em><br /><em>I am worried about the canine flu epidemic in Chicago, and the reports of flu spreading to our area. Should I get my dog vaccinated for canine flu?</em></p>
<p><em>Thank you,</em><br /><em>Iman.</em></p>
<p>&gt;&gt;&gt; </p>
<p>Dear Iman,</p>
<p>The Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) or “flu,” has been receiving a lot of attention lately, and has become an increasing concern for dog owners. CIV (strain H3N8) was first identified in Florida in 2004. It was found in a group of racing greyhounds and was thought to be a variant of the equine influenza virus. Since that time, cases of canine flu have been reported throughout the country.</p>
<p>The most recent outbreak of canine flu was in Chicago. According to news reports, over 1,000 cases of flu have been confirmed, and there have been some fatalities due to the virus. Shortly after the outbreak occurred, the Chicago CIV strain was identified as a new strain of flu that has not previously been seen in the United States. It is flu type H3N2. Speculation is that this flu strain was brought over from Asia. </p>
<p>The flu virus is highly contagious, and one of the problems is that dogs are most contagious during the first 48 hours, which is before they start to show signs of illness. Because dogs can spread the disease without their owners knowing it, quarantining of contagious animals to prevent spread is virtually impossible. </p>
<p>Symptoms of canine flu can include cough, lethargy, fever and nasal discharge. Some dogs, especially the very young, very old, or immune compromised dogs, can develop severe complications, including life threatening pneumonia. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “Almost all dogs exposed to CIV will become infected, and the majority (80 percent) of infected dogs develop flu-like illness. The mortality (death) rate is low (less than 10 percent).”</p>
<p>As of May 5, there have been no confirmed cases of canine flu in Minnesota. However, there have been confirmed cases in both Wisconsin and Iowa. It is very likely that flu will come to Minnesota. So what is a dog owner to do? They certainly don’t want their dog to become ill from canine flu, however, we know that the vaccine (H3N8) will not be fully protective over the Chicago flu strain (H3N2). Also, the vaccine needs to be boostered 2-4 weeks after initial administration, and the vaccine is not considered fully effective until 1-3 weeks after the booster shot. </p>
<p>According to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, “[Dog] owners should still consider vaccinating dogs that visit dog parks, are housed in kennels, or attend show events. Vaccination can reduce the incidence and severity of disease in dogs infected with H3N8, which continues to circulate in the U.S.” We are also hopeful that the H3N8 vaccine will provide some immunity and perhaps lessen the severity of flu symptoms in dogs exposed to H3N2, although we do not know for sure if that will be the case. There is currently no vaccine available for the H3N2 virus. It is also important to note that the “Kennel Cough” vaccine does not protect against canine flu. That vaccine is for the respiratory bacteria, bordetella bronchiseptica. </p>
<p>Every veterinarian is taking all of this information into consideration, and making a thoughtful recommendation to their clients about whether or not their canine patients should be vaccinated. It is important that pet owners make an informed decision. At Westgate Pet Clinic, we are recommending that all social dogs (dogs that visit dog parks, kennels, and dog shows) be vaccinated for CIV. </p>
<p><em>Dr. Teresa Hershey is a veterinarian at Westgate Pet Clinic in Linden Hills. Email her your pet questions at <a href="mailto:drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com">drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com</a>.</em></p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 05 May 2015 18:56:36 +0000Sarah McKenzie24801 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/how-to-prepare-for-the-dog-flu#commentsWhat to do if your dog has been exposed to Lyme’s diseasehttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/what-to-do-if-your-dog-has-been-exposed-to-lyme%E2%80%99s-disease
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Teresa Hershey</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>Dear Dr. Hershey,</em><em> </em></p>
<p><em>My vet just told me that my dog, Harper, just tested positive for Lyme's Disease. He seems to be normal otherwise, what does this mean for him, and is it contagious to me?</em><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Thank you,</em></p>
<p><em>Mary Beth</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dear Mary Beth, </p>
<p>This is a timely question because the ticks are out in Minnesota. Ticks live for many years, and can survive the winter in a dormant stage. </p>
<p>Ticks become active when the ground temperature is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit, so sometimes ticks will be out even if there is snow on the ground. Because ticks become active even when it is relatively cold outside, many pet owners are caught by surprise in the early spring when they find a tick on their dog. </p>
<p>Ticks find their hosts by detecting breath and body odors, or by sensing heat, moisture, vibrations, even shadows. Ticks can't jump or fly, but they are well adapted to finding and latching onto hosts. </p>
<p>Ticks will rest on the tips of grasses or shrubs in a position known as "questing.” In this position, they hold onto the plant with some of its legs, while having their first pair of legs outstretched, just waiting for a host to brush by. Although Minnesota is home to several types of tick, it is the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), commonly known as the "deer tick," which can transmit Lyme Disease (as well as other bacteria including anaplasmosis and babesiosis). </p>
<p>Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. In humans, exposure to Lyme bacteria can be very serious. The initial signs include the classic bull's eye lesion (erythema migrans) and flu-like symptoms. Some people will develop chronic, debilitating illness from Lyme disease. </p>
<p>Unlike people, we think that only 5 to 10 percent of all dogs exposed to Lyme bacteria ever get sick with the disease. </p>
<p>When clinical signs do occur, they typically start about two months after the infection. Signs include lameness (limping or abnormal walking/running behavior), arthritis in one or multiple joints, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy (weakness), and fever. Skin lesions are very rare in dogs. </p>
<p>The clinical signs of Lyme disease are treated with antibiotics, and often the symptoms will resolve within three days of therapy. A tetracycline antibiotic called doxycycline is the most common antibiotic that is used to treat Lyme disease. A dog that tests positive for the Lyme bacteria on a blood test, however, doesn't necessarily have Lyme disease and don't necessarily need to be treated. </p>
<p>Veterinarians will routinely screen for exposure to Lyme bacteria. (Often this test is done in conjunction with screening for exposure to heartworm disease and other tick borne diseases.)</p>
<p>The most common test that veterinarians perform is an antibody test. This test tells us if antibodies against the Lyme bacteria are present in the blood. If this test is positive, it means that your dog has been exposed to the Lyme bacteria and has mounted an immune response to the bacteria, producing antibodies to it. A positive test does not indicate that there is an "active" Lyme infection, only that the pet was exposed/infected in the past. Previous vaccination for Lyme disease does not interfere with these test results (a vaccinated dog will not be positive for Lyme simply because it has received the Lyme vaccine in the past). It takes a few weeks from the time of exposure for the development of a positive antibody Lyme test.</p>
<p>It is important to know that many dogs that are positive for antibodies against Lyme infection will never develop any clinical symptoms (remember only about 10 percent show obvious signs). </p>
<p>When the test comes back positive, it doesn't mean that your dog has Lyme Disease, it means that your dog has been exposed to the Lyme bacteria. You and your veterinarian will need to make a decision about what, if any action, should take place if this test shows up positive. It is also important to know that there is not consensus in the veterinary community about how to manage a pet that is positive on the test and not showing clinical signs of Lyme disease. The information provided below is what I recommend for my patients in the situation of a positive test in an otherwise healthy dog.</p>
<p>— I recommend screening for possible kidney problems. The Lyme bacteria can create infection, but can also cause autoimmune problems in the dog. </p>
<p>A severe autoimmune problem secondary to exposure to Lyme bacteria is called</p>
<p>"Lyme Nephritis." In this disease, the filtering mechanism of the kidney, called the glomerulus is compromised. The glomerulus is like a sieve, with holes in the sieve to filter out waste that needs to be excreted in the urine. </p>
<p>In a healthy kidney, the holes are big enough to allow waste products to leave the blood, but small enough to preserve important proteins and other blood products that the body needs. If the holes in the sieve get too big, these important proteins will leave the blood and be excreted in the urine. </p>
<p>This is a very serious condition because the body sometimes can not keep up with the loss of protein through the kidneys, and the pet can become very ill and eventually die from this disease. I recommend that all dogs that are newly diagnosed as positive on a Lyme test be screened for excessive protein loss in the urine through a test called the Urine Protein Creatinine ratio, or UPC. If this test comes back positive, then more testing and treatment will likely follow. If the test is negative, then I move on to the recommendations below.</p>
<p>— I recommend that all dogs that have been exposed to Lyme bacteria be on a tick preventative either year round (especially if the dog travels to more mild climates), or from the time of our first thaw to the time of our first hard freeze in Minnesota. There are several great medications that can be used to protect against ticks. One of the more well-known medications is called "Frontline." This is a topical tick and flea preventative. A new medication came out last year called "Nexgard." This medication is a once a month oral medication and has proven to be very popular because you now don't need to put a topical medication on your dog. </p>
<p>— I recommend that as a family, you review how to keep yourself safe from tick diseases. Lyme bacteria cannot be transmitted from dogs to people, it can only be spread by the bite of an infected tick. </p>
<p>But, if your dog is positive, that means that you and your family have also likely been in an area that is endemic for Lyme Disease. Keeping ticks off of your dog is important because ticks don't die after they take a blood meal. </p>
<p>They fall off the host and can reattach to another host later. By using a tick preventative for your dog, you are helping protect your family from ticks. Also, it is important that after you go for a walk in the woods, you do a tick check on your entire family. It takes at least 36 hours for the Lyme bacteria to be transmitted from the tick to the host. If ticks are identified and removed before that time period, then you can prevent the transmission of bacteria. To remove a tick, use tweezers and try to remove as much of the tick as possible. </p>
<p>There is a vaccine available to prevent Lyme disease in dogs. The vaccine is very effective. There is some controversy about whether or not a dog that has already been exposed to a natural infection of Lyme bacteria should be vaccinated against the disease. To vaccinate or not vaccinate is a discussion that you should have with your veterinarian. </p>
<p><em>Dr. Teresa Hershey is a veterinarian at Westgate Pet Clinic in Linden Hills. Email her your pet questions at <a href="mailto:drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com">drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com</a>.</em></p>
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</div></div></div>Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:27:18 +0000Sarah McKenzie24601 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/what-to-do-if-your-dog-has-been-exposed-to-lyme%E2%80%99s-disease#commentsTips for a lethargic cathttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/tips-for-a-lethargic-cat
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Olivia Mirodone</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>Dear Dr. Mirodone,</em></p>
<p><em>My cat Jazz has been having difficulty jumping lately and doesn’t want to walk down the stairs to his litter box. I think he might have arthritis. Is there something that can be done be for him, or is he just getting old? </em></p>
<p><em>Thank you,<br /> Lillian</em></p>
<p>** </p>
<p>Dear Lillian,</p>
<p>Arthritis is a very common condition in cats. In fact, research shows that 90 percent of cats over 12 years of age suffer from some degree of arthritis! </p>
<p>Arthritis is a chronic degenerative disease of the joint in which the cartilage of the joint is damaged. Cartilage covers the ends of bones and helps cushion the joint and allows it to glide smoothly. When cartilage is damaged, a series of inflammatory changes occurs, eventually leading to destruction of cartilage and the underlying bone. Cartilage contains no nerves, so if your pet is showing any signs of pain, the source of it is the underlying bone.</p>
<p>Signs of arthritis include: reduced jumping, more matting over the back (because it is more difficult to bend to reach the lower back), resistance to being brushed (because it hurts to press on a sore back or legs), irritability, lameness and sometimes inappropriate urination (because getting to and from the litter box is more difficult). </p>
<p>As the occurrence of these symptoms is gradual, and usually happens in senior cats, pet owners naturally think that their kitty is simply getting old. Many times it is not until advanced symptoms, such as limping, or other signs of debilitation occur, that owners seek help from their veterinarian. Your veterinarian can often diagnose arthritis based on a physical exam and radiographs of the suspected joints. </p>
<p>Arthritis is almost always painful, and once established, it does not go away. In fact, it usually gets worse over time. Chronic pain, even mild, will affect your cat’s disposition and quality of life. Fortunately, with the advances in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, there are many options for treatment. In more advanced cases a combination of the following therapies will be employed.</p>
<p>Environmental changes are often needed to accommodate cats with reduced mobility. Some tips include: low profile litter boxes, placement of steps to ease the cat’s access to his favorite spots, moving the litter box from the basement to the floor where the cat spends most of her time, and heating disks or pads (when supervised).</p>
<p>Weight control is extremely important. Overweight cats are predisposed to arthritic changes and simply getting them to a good weight may greatly reduce the severity of their clinical signs. Cats that do not have kidney disease will often benefit from a switch to a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. It is easier to make a low carbohydrate canned diet then a dry food, so many veterinary nutritionists recommend canned food exclusively for cats. For cats that will only eat dry food, you could consider Young Again, a Minnesota Company that makes high protein dry cat foods. </p>
<p>There are many options for medications when weight loss is not enough. Nutritional supplements such as Glucosamine and omega fatty acids can be very helpful. Dasequin is the brand name of a joint supplement for cats that you can sprinkle on their food. At Westgate Pet Clinic, we have found that cats respond well to injectable glycosaminoglycan (Adequan). These injections are given in the muscle or under the skin and are administered as an initial series of 6 shots and then every four to eight weeks as maintenance. Most cats will start to show improved mobility after just a couple of injections. Acupuncture is also very helpful for cats with arthritis and they tolerate the acupuncture treatment quite well. </p>
<p>For cats that are still having pain and mobility issues from arthritis, your veterinarian may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (like Onsior), a medication for chronic pain called Gabapentin, or opioids in severe cases.</p>
<p>Despite the progressive nature of arthritis, many things can be done to ensure that you kitty will live a long and comfortable life!</p>
<p><em>Dr. Olivia Mirodone is a veterinarian at Westgate Pet Clinic in Linden Hills. This column rotates among vets at Westgate. Email your pet questions to <a href="mailto:drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com">drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com</a>.</em></p>
<p class="p2"><em> </em></p>
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</div></div></div>Mon, 02 Mar 2015 22:39:04 +0000Sarah McKenzie24459 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/tips-for-a-lethargic-cat#commentsHow to keep your pet fit during the winterhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/how-to-keep-your-pet-fit-during-the-winter
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Teresa Hershey</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>Dear Dr. Hershey,</em></p>
<p><em>It is so cold and icy outside that I don’t want to go out to walk my dog. Is there anything I can do to provide him exercise inside the house? </em></p>
<p><em> — Deena</em></p>
<p><em>***</em></p>
<p><strong>Dear Deena,</strong></p>
<p>Exercising a dog during the winter in our climate can certainly be a challenge. Every spring I see that my patients have gained weight over the winter months because they are simply not as active. Below is a list of indoor exercises that your dog might enjoy. Of course if your dog has mobility issues, don’t force any exercise that is uncomfortable. </p>
<p>A Land Treadmill: Many dogs can fit on a human size land treadmill. It is important to note that although very large dogs may fit on the treadmill when in a standing position, they may not be able to fully extend their legs when running on the treadmill. It can actually be a disadvantage to run a very large dog on a treadmill because they will shorten up their gait to prevent falling off of the belt. This abnormal gait can lead to muscle tension. For medium to small dogs however, training them to a land treadmill can be a great way to exercise them. If you have never put your dog on a treadmill before, make sure to introduce it slowly. Start by putting them on the treadmill when it is off. Give treats, and then slowly start the treadmill. Keep giving treats and watch your dog to make sure she is comfortable on the moving belt. If this is going well, you can increase the speed and space out the timing of the treats. Never leash a dog to a treadmill and always stand by in case your dog is having trouble. </p>
<p>Stairs: If you have carpeted stairs, this can be a great exercise tool. For healthy, active dogs, you can play a game where you race her up the stairs. For dogs that aren’t as strong you can leash your dog and slowly take the stairs. To make the most out of this exercise, make sure that each leg is moving up the stairs separately, not “hopping” up the stairs. Dogs with certain knee or back problems may not be candidates for stairs. Consult with your veterinarian if you think that your dog may have mobility issues preventing use of stairs. Going up stairs shifts the weight to the back, thus strengthen the back legs, and going down stairs shifts the weight to the front and is great exercise for the front legs.</p>
<p>Hide-and-go-seek: This used to be a favorite game I would play with my dog “Cookie”. We had a special “look” that would indicate that either she or I would want to play. When we gave each other the “look”, I would run into a different room and try to hide before she could find me. If I hid well and she couldn’t find me, then I would make noises until she could locate me in the house. </p>
<p>Crawling: Crawling works the core and legs muscles. Find something that your dog can fit under only when crawling (under the bed, under a chair etc.). Have him lie down, and then coax him to crawl to you by offering treats. </p>
<p>Indoor obstacle course: Set us items for your pet to jump over, weave around, etc. You could set up an obstacle course that involves doing figure 8’s around a set of stools, then jumping over some short hurtles of rolled up towels, then finally jumping onto a sofa and waiting at the end of the course. </p>
<p>Work on training his mind as well as his body. Teaching your dog to do “nose work” can occupy a lot of time. Nose work is a fun search and scenting activity for dogs. You can train your dog to find objects that you’ve hidden around the house. There is great information on the web about how to train your dog for this activity. For starters try <a href="http://www.funnosework.com. ">www.funnosework.com. </a></p>
<p>For fun exercise videos using equipment like balance balls, check out Fit Paws (<a href="http://www.fitpawsusa.com">www.fitpawsusa.com</a>). Their Youtube site has lots of great ideas for indoor exercise. </p>
<p><em>Dr. Teresa Hershey is a veterinarian at Westgate Pet Clinic in Linden Hills. Email her your pet questions at <a href="mailto:drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com">drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com</a>.</em></p>
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</div></div></div>Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:56:21 +0000Sarah McKenzie24165 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/how-to-keep-your-pet-fit-during-the-winter#commentsWhat should I do if I have a bat in the house?http://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/what-should-i-do-if-i-have-a-bat-in-the-house
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Dr. Teresa Hershey</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><em>Dear Dr. Hershey,</em></p>
<p><em>I have heard that bats carry rabies, what should I do if I find a bat in the house?</em></p>
<p><em>Sean</em></p>
<p>Dear Sean,</p>
<p>Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system and is deadly if rabies prophylaxis is not given in time to the exposed individual. The virus is spread through saliva, most commonly through a bite. </p>
<p>Symptoms of rabies can vary. There is a “dumb form” in which the animal appears too docile, and the “furious form” in which the animal becomes vicious and will attack without provocation.</p>
<p>In Minnesota, skunks and bats are the most common rabies carriers, although many species of animals can carry and transmit the virus. In 2012, there were 72 reported cases of rabies in Minnesota. Of those 72 animals, 39 were bats, 21 were skunks, 4 were cats, 3 were cattle or bison, 2 were horses, one was a dog, one a fox and one a deer.</p>
<p>Just recently at our clinic we had a case of a bat that was found in the home, and tested positive for rabies. The entire family, including the 9 month old baby had to get rabies prophylaxis shots. Unfortuantely their cat had never been rabies vaccinated so the family was given the option of euthanasia or a 6 month in home quarantine to make sure that the cat did not exhibit any signed of rabies. (The family elected quarantine). </p>
<p>If a bat is found in the house, and there is any chance that someone had physical contact with the bat, the bat should be captured and tested for rabies. If you wake up and find a bat in the house, or a bat is found in the room with a person that is sleeping, the bat should be tested since a bite could have occurred and you don’t know about it. Bats have tiny teeth, and the mark they leave is difficult to see, so a bite wound may go unnoticed.</p>
<p>To capture a bat, find a container with a lid. Do not use a pillowcase, blanket or towel. Bats may bite through the fabric. Wear gloves, approach the bat slowly, and put the container over the bat. Then slide the cover under the container to trap the bat inside. Seal the container with tape so he does not escape. The bat should then be brought to the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. (See contact information below). If the bat is found “after hours”, the bat can be brought to a local veterinarian for humane euthanasia. During Diagnostic Lab business hours, a live bat may be brought to the facility, and they can euthanize it.</p>
<p>It is very important not to injure the head of the bat when trapping it. If the bat is crushed or beaten, and the brain is damaged, it is likely that the lab will not be able to test the bat. Also, if a dead bat is left in a container in the sun, and overheats, it is possible that the bat may not be tested. Keep a dead bat refrigerated, or on ice (not frozen), until it can be delivered to the diagnostic lab.</p>
<p>If a bat is found in the house, and the bat made physical contact with a human in the house, or if it unknown if the bat made contact with a house member (like in the case of a bat found in the room with a sleeping child), and the bat is not available for testing, then your doctor and the Minnesota Department of Health may recommend Rabies Post Exposure Treatment (PEP). These shots are no longer given in the abdomen, but rather are given in the arm. There are series of 4 shots that each individual receives. </p>
<p>The best thing is if the bat can be captured and tested. Then there is no question as to whether or not the humans in the house need to have PEP performed.</p>
<p>Rabies is a preventable disease in many species of animals. It is very important to have your cat, dog, horse, or ferret vaccinated for rabies. We see many cats every year whose owners don’t want to vaccinate their cats because they are indoors only. But bats can come in the house, and the situation can be very complicated, and sometimes dangerous, if there is an unvaccianted animal that was in the house with a rabid bat.</p>
<p><strong>Contact Information:</strong></p>
<p>For information on rabies, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414 (M-F 8:00am- 4:30pm).</p>
<p><strong>To submit an animal for rabies testing:</strong></p>
<p>There is a fee of $26.25 for rabies testing (this doesn’t include euthanasia) You can find the specimen submission form on the Minnesota Board of Animal Health website mn.gov/bah/disease/rabies.</p>
<p><strong>Samples should be hand delivered to:</strong></p>
<p>Business hours (M-F 8:00am- 4:30pm) *Live bats accepted at this site. Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory- University of Minnesota- St. Paul Campus 1333 Gortner Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108 612-625-8787</p>
<p>Nonbusiness hours and holidays *Live bats are NOT accepted after business hours Veterinary Medical Center- Emergency Receiving- University of Minnesota-St. Paul Campus 1365 Gortner Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108 612-625-9711</p>
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</div></div></div>Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:34:22 +0000Sarah McKenzie23111 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/what-should-i-do-if-i-have-a-bat-in-the-house#commentsAsk the vet: A primer on Lyme’s diseasehttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/ask-the-vet-a-primer-on-lyme%E2%80%99s-disease
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Teresa Hershey</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>Q: My dog just came up positive on a Lyme test. What does that mean?<br /><em>— Alan</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>A:</strong> Many veterinarians are now recommending an annual test called the 4dx test. This test screens for heartworm disease, Lyme and two other tick borne diseases called ehrlichia and anaplasma. </p>
<p>In order to understand this test better, we need to start by talking about what an antigen is versus an antibody. An antigen is basically a foreign substance that gets in the body and stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies. For example, when you get exposed to the cold virus, the virus is the antigen and your body will produce antibodies against this antigen. </p>
<p>In the 4dx test, the heartworm part of the test is an ANTIGEN test. If this part of the test comes back positive, it means that the dog has adult heartworms in her heart. </p>
<p>The Lyme’s test (and the ehrlichia/anaplasma test) is a different type of test. It is an ANTIBODY test. If this test comes back positive, it is most appropriate to say that your dog has been exposed to the Lyme bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, rather than saying your dog has Lyme’s Disease. </p>
<p>When we say a dog does have Lyme’s Disease, it means the dog is clinically ill from the bacteria. This bacteria can be very serious when it does cause illness. Not only can it cause an infection, it can aggravate the immune system resulting in an autoimmune problem where the body starts to attack itself. In particular, these autoimmune problems can affect the joints and kidneys leading to chronic inflammation and disease in these areas. Luckily, only 5 to 10 percent of dogs that get exposed to the Lyme bacteria ever become clinically ill. </p>
<p>On the 4dx test, what we see a color change on the test to show that there are antibodies. The color change is graded on a scale of one to five. A very dark color (5) means that there are a lot of antibodies in the system. A very light color (1) means that there are not as many antibodies. We presume that a dark color change means a more recent exposure, and a light color change means that the pet was exposed a while ago, but that is not necessarily always the case. One animal may just produce more antibodies then her counterpart.</p>
<p>The Lyme bacteria is spread by deer ticks, and it is fairly common for this test to come back positive in dogs that are not vaccinated for Lyme’s Disease, particularly if that dog travels to northern Minnesota or Wisconsin. It should be noted that there is not a consensus within the veterinary community about what the best course of action is when the test does show up positive, and the recommendations can vary widely.</p>
<p>What I typically recommend in this situation is to first determine if the pet is currently not feeling well. If the dog has symptoms of Lyme’s Disease (fever, lethargy, achy joints), then I will treat with a course of antibiotics. My treatment of choice is an antibiotic called doxycycline. For a while doxycycline was not available to veterinarians. Then when it did become available again, it came back at a new improved price that was about 100 times more expensive then it was before. If doxycycline doesn’t make financial sense to treat a certain pet, there are other antibiotics that have been shown effective for Lyme’s Disease, including minocycline, amoxicillin, and a long lasting injectable antibiotic called Convenia. </p>
<p>If the pet is not ill, then I typically recommend a urine sample to check to see if the kidneys are leaking protein. This is an early indicator of kidney disease. If this test is negative, then the only treatment I typically recommend is good tick control going forward. The products Frontline and Certifect are my tick protection of choice. There are other products available for tick control, but I just don’t think they are as effective or last as long. The most important thing to note when using a tick control product on a dog is to begin using the product early in the tick season. Tick eggs hatch as soon as the temperature gets above freezing. t is always a shock when we see ticks out and there is still snow on the ground, but it can happen. If we are having a mild winter, it is safest to use tick control even during the winter months. </p>
<p><em>Dr. Teresa Hershey is a veterinarian at Westgate Pet Clinic in Linden Hills. Email her your pet questions at <a href="mailto:drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com">drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com</a>.</em></p>
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</div></div></div>Mon, 22 Jul 2013 19:34:18 +0000Dana Croatt21042 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/ask-the-vet-a-primer-on-lyme%E2%80%99s-disease#commentsAsk the vet: Dog plagued by ear infections http://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/ask-the-vet-dog-plagued-by-ear-infections
<div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Teresa Hershey</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>(Editor’s note: We are adding a new column from Dr. Teresa Hershey, a veterinarian at Westgate Pet Clinic in Linden Hills. Westgate has been treating animals in southwest Minneapolis since 1973. For more details on the clinic, go to <a href="http://www.wagsandwhiskers.com" target="_self">wagsandwhiskers.com</a>. If you have a question for Dr. Hershey, email her at <a href="mailto:drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com">drhershey@westgatepetclinicmn.com</a>.)</p>
<p><strong>Q: My dog is always getting ear infections. I treat it with the medication that my vet prescribes, but then the infection comes right back again! <img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/03/05/2013/Dog%20ear%20and%20face_0.jpg" alt="" width="57" height="59" class="inline_image" /></strong></p>
<p><em>— Judith</em></p>
<p><strong>A: Dear Judith,</strong></p>
<p>Chronic ear infections are a very frustrating condition. The most common reason that dogs get recurrent ear infections is because they have an underlying allergy that is setting them up for infection. Unlike people, who tend to get middle ear infections from an upper respiratory infection, dogs most commonly get outer ear infections, more like a skin infection. </p>
<p>If a dog has an allergy, either to something in his food, or something in the environment, that can create inflammation of the skin. Sometimes dogs will show other signs of skin allergies, like chewing at the feet, or licking the groin and belly area. Other times, it is just the ears that are affected by the allergies. </p>
<p>The outer ear canal, like the rest of the skin, has some yeast and bacteria that reside there normally. When the skin in the ears gets inflamed, the yeast and bacteria take advantage of this inflammation and start to overgrow, causing an infection.</p>
<p>Veterinarians most commonly prescribe topical medications for ear infections. These topical medications usually have a combination of an antibiotic, an anti-fungal and a steroid in them. The steroid helps reduce the inflammation, and the other ingredients kill the overgrowth of yeast or bacteria. These topical medications take care of most ear infections. </p>
<p>If the ear infection keeps coming back, however, then taking a closer look at what is causing the inflammation to begin with can be beneficial. Sometimes, a food allergy trial is in order. Often, your veterinarian will want to use a food that contains unique ingredients that your dog’s immune system hasn’t been exposed to previously. Be aware though, of dogs that have allergies, only 10 percent of dogs have food allergies, so a food change won’t always help the ears.</p>
<p>For those situations in which a food change doesn’t help the ears, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications either orally or topically to be given on a regular basis to help prevent inflammation and hopefully secondary infections. </p>
<p><em>Sincerely, </em></p>
<p><em>Dr. Teresa Hershey</em></p>
<p><em>Westgate Pet Clinic</em></p>
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</div></div></div>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:14:12 +0000Sarah McKenzie20078 at http://www.journalmpls.comhttp://www.journalmpls.com/voices/voices/ask-the-vet-dog-plagued-by-ear-infections#comments